Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1538195
3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 6 AUGUST 2025 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The less rainfall and the more water that evaporates, the drier a region becomes. Areas that fall into the arid category face seri- ous challenges in sustaining nat- ural water resources and agricul- ture. Well-known arid regions include the Sahara Desert, the Atacama in Chile, and parts of the Middle East. In Europe, arid regions include parts of south- eastern Spain, southern Portugal and southern Greece. While Malta has traditional- ly been classified as having a semi-arid climate, the 2023– 2024 hydrological year marked the first time in recent history that the islands entered arid conditions. This shift poses a se- vere threat to farming, food pro- duction, and long-term water management. 17% drop in rainfall The EWA report also refers to a broader decline in rainfall. From 2008 to 2024, Malta's av- erage annual rainfall was just 458mm—a 17% drop compared to the long-term average record- ed between 1940 and 2024. This decline reflects a remarkable de- crease in its main source of nat- ural water in a country already facing water scarcity. Three particularly dry years stand out: 2016–2017, 2020– 2021 and 2023–2024. The most recent year was the most ex- treme, with all 12 months ex- periencing below-average rain- fall—making it the driest year ever recorded in the Maltese Islands. Long-term trends also point to increasing drought. Of the past 16 years, 12 recorded below-av- erage rainfall. These conditions not only affect agriculture but also strain natural resources, social wellbeing, and the wider economy. The agency's report calls for continued diversification of wa- ter supply and the sustainable use of non-conventional water resources like the re-use of treat- ed sewage as irrigation water to help the country adapt to its changing climate. Long-term trends point to increasing drought Areas that fall into the arid category face serious challenges in sustaining natural water resources and agriculture